The Little Pet Shed
Natural Guinea Pig Care
Accommodation
8 ft (240cm)
6 ft (180cm)
When choosing a home for your guinea pigs, bigger is always better. If you can give your guinea pigs a large home they will definitely be more active, happy and excitable. My younger guinea pigs get very excited and run laps around their cage, which is only possible due to the space I've given them.
The shed I currently own is 6ft by 8ft and is split into two separate cages which are 6ft by 4ft (one side for two sows and the other for two boars). This is a great size for them but a cage smaller than this would still be suitable. For a minimum cage size, I recommend 2ft by 5ft for two guinea pigs, but if you can, always provide more.
Creating a habitat not a cage
When I think of the word cage I think of something small, cramped and trapping, but when I think of the word habitat I think of something natural, spacious and comfortable. This is why I try to create a natural habitat for my guinea pigs to allow them to explore, run about, feel safe and be happy. There are many ways to achieve this which are inexpensive and make all the difference to your guinea pigs and other small animals.
Space
Space is so important for guinea pigs, and without it they can become bored and very inactive. Large cages allow your guinea pigs to exercise, explore and play, making their life much more interesting. Smaller cages only allow for the essential items and leave no room for your guinea pigs to be guinea pigs.
levels
Levels and ramps provide variety in your guinea pigs' enclosure, making their cage fun to explore. Some guinea pigs prefer not to jump on top of small levels (e.g. houses) but many really enjoy it, as well as running up and down ramps.
houses
In the wild, guinea pigs are prey animals. Domestic guinea pigs have the same instinct to run and hide whenever they feel scared, so by providing them with houses they have somewhere to feel very secure. By putting in many houses, your guinea pigs may be more inclined to come out into the cage as they know that they have somewhere to go back to.
Toys
Space is so important for guinea pigs, and without it they can become bored and very inactive. Large cages allow your guinea pigs to exercise, explore and play, making their life much more interesting. Smaller cages only allow for the essential items and leave no room for your guinea pigs to be guinea pigs.
tunnels
Guinea pigs love tunnels! Whenever my guinea pigs see a tunnel they just have to walk through it. I believe this behaviour is similar to walking though tunnels made in long grass in the wild. By adding tunnels you are making the cage much more like a habitat.
Logs
Levels and ramps provide variety in your guinea pigs' enclosure, making their cage fun to explore. Some guinea pigs prefer not to jump on top of small levels (e.g. houses) but many really enjoy it, as well as running up and down ramps.